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A bribery conviction against former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert

Israel's Supreme Court Tuesday partially overturned a bribery
conviction against former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. His sentence was reduced
from six years to 18 months in prison.

Olmert expressed relief, saying a great burden has been lifted
from his heart.

The ex-prime minister, who is 70, was convicted two years ago by
a lower court of accepting tens of thousands of dollars in bribes to promote a
controversial real-estate project in Jerusalem. This allegedly occurred when he
served as the mayor of Jerusalem, prior to becoming prime minister in 2006.

Olmert denies it.

He says, “I was never offered and I never took a bribe.” It is also still not clear how he is charged
and how it happens, but I believe that I am innocent after the investigation. Nevertheless,
while the Supreme Court overturned some of the bribery charges, it upheld
others. Therefore, Olmert will become the first former Israeli leader to spend
time behind bars.

State Prosecutor Liat Ben Ari says justice was served.

She says “the case represents a watershed in the war against
corruption in Israel.” The justice system, Ben Ari says, has sent a strong
message that “no one is above the law.” Later we will follow up with it
closely.